How to Avoid Injuries While Falling Off a Horse

Falling as Safely as Possible

Decide to fall off when you need to. As a rider, your goal is to stay on the horse. However, at some point when you've run into trouble on your horse, you have to decide that you're falling and commit to it. If you feel like your horse is going down, you need to get off it. That means dropping the reins and preparing to tuck and roll so that you can fall safely. As you decide you're going to fall, kick your feet out of the stirrups to start getting away from the horse. If you hold onto the reins as you fall, you may hurt your shoulder or be dragged along the ground.

Push out away from the direction your horse is falling. If your horse is falling to one side or the other, move your body the opposite way. Use the place between the horse's shoulder blades to push off with your knuckles. Move upwards, and bring your knee and heel up on the side where the horse is going down. Pull your heel up to your rear if possible so that it doesn't go under the horse. When the horse gets to the ground, use your tuck and roll technique to move away from the horse. Go as far and as fast as possible away from the horse.

Land on your feet if possible. Even though you're going to tuck and roll, your goal is to land as much on your feet as possible, then go forward into the roll. It's not always possible to go feet first but take the opportunity when you can.

Relax your muscles. Try to relax your body as you fall. Tensing up your muscles will severely limit your body's ability to absorb impact. It may take many falls to learn this habit, but you'll likely have less painful falls when you do.

Tuck your body as much as you can. As you fall, pull in your limbs to protect them from the fall. If you put your arms out to break your fall, you may end up with fractures in your wrists and arms. At this point, hopefully your muscle memory will take over and help you keep rolling.

Take the brunt of the weight in the roll. As you tuck, try to roll onto the back of your shoulder, then your back. Keep rolling until you're back to your front again. You may need to roll again to get away from the horse. If you don't land feet first, try to take the brunt of the fall on your thigh or the back of your shoulder. Do your best to avoid landing on your neck or straight on your back.

Practicing Falling

Work on flat ground first. You can work in the riding arena if you want, or if you prefer, you can work on a soft gym mat to break the fall. The key is to perfect your falling technique while on the ground, not on a horse. By practicing a fall, you're getting it in your muscle memory. That way, when you start falling off a horse, you're more likely to fall safely.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Wear a helmet and safety vest while practicing. Stand up tall, and then cross your arms across your chest. This is the starting position for your falling practice. Your arms need to be tight across your chest so that you don't use an elbow to take the force of the fall, which could result in a broken elbow. Never put your arms straight out in front of you to catch your fall. You may want to wear a protective vest to protect your torso while falling. You can find them at tack stores and online.

Go down on one knee and roll on your shoulder. When your knee hits the ground, start to tuck into yourself. Roll onto the back of the same shoulder as the knee that hit the ground so it takes the brunt of the fall. Bring your head and shoulders up as you roll, and you should hit the correct point on your shoulder. As you roll, try to do so at an angle from where you began. That way, you end up moving away from your horse.

Use the rotation to get on your back. You're mostly rolling to the side with a little forward motion. As you come down, tuck your knees up to your chest by contracting your stomach muscles. This position will help you keep rolling. Tuck your chin into your chest as you move into the roll.

Keep rolling until you hit your knees and feet again. Use the force you've created to roll back onto your front. You should end up on your knees, and you can use the momentum to get back on your feet. Practice this move over and over until you get the hang of it. Think of it sort of like a forward roll, except you move more at an angle.

Work on the same movement off of a low vehicle like a golf cart. Have the driver go at a slow pace. Watch the ground and make the jump, bending your knees as you land. Tuck and roll like you practiced from a standstill until you are on your feet again. Practice this move until you're comfortable with it.

Protecting Yourself before You Ride

Exercise most days of the week to get in good shape. While it takes time to get in good shape, the more fit you are, the better you'll be able to react in case of a fall. Plus, it reduces your injury risk and helps you heal faster if you do get injured. Work on strengthening exercises, such as ones that work on your core and building muscles. You could try things like pushups, sit-ups, and crunches, just to name a few. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week, such as walking, swimming, or running.

Wear a riding helmet every time you're on a horse. A riding helmet can make the difference between a slight headache and a severe concussion. Make sure the helmet fits correctly before you mount, meaning it's not too loose or too tight. Ideally, have it checked professionally when you buy it and return it periodically to have it re-padded. The helmet should be covering the front part of your head and sit below your hairline. When you shake your head both in the "yes" and "no" directions, the helmet should not move. Choose a riding helmet certified by a safety organization. Look for helmets that state they meet ASTM/SEI standards. Don't use a bike riding helmet instead of a riding helmet. Bike helmets don't offer the same protection as riding helmets.

Choose safe riding clothes. You need boots that are going to be secure in the stirrups. Opt for zippered riding boots that fit well and are sturdy with a low heel. Any clothing you wear should be comfortable and allow you to move easily. However, don't wear anything that is too loose, as it can tangle with the reins and other parts of the saddle. Other types of shoes and tie up riding boots can get trapped in the stirrups, which can drag you along in the case of a fall. Plus, sturdy boots help protect your foot if the horse stamps on it. Wear long pants. If you wear shorts, you will end up with rubbed and scarred legs. Riding pants that fit snug are the best option, but jeans are also okay—just choose a pair without embellishments on the back pockets.

Check that the tack is comfortable for the horse. The horse could be uncomfortable or in pain if the saddle does not fit properly or if it is too far back or forward. If the horse is uncomfortable, it may misbehave by bolting, rearing, or bucking in order to escape the painful tack. Making painful tack more comfortable is an often overlooked way of resolving many behavioral issues. For instance, make sure the saddle isn't too far forward, causing it to hit the horse's shoulder blades as it walks. That makes the saddle uncomfortable for the horse. Check the bottom of the saddle before putting it on your horse to make sure it doesn't have any broken or rough spots that could be hurting your horse. Add a thick, wool saddle pad underneath the saddle to make it the most comfortable for your horse.

Ride using a "soft" bit rather than a harsh bit. In other words, don't make the bit too tight. When the bit fits correctly, you should see a single wrinkle in the corner of the horse's mouth right above the bit. Look for a relaxed head and mouth to tell if the horse is happy. If it's not, it will toss its head and move its mouth around on the bit a lot. Harsher bits make the horse more sensitive, but that can actually make the horse harder to control, as the horse will over-respond to your commands. Plus, a painful bit can even cause a horse to bolt.

Use safety stirrups and non-slip stirrup pads. Safety stirrups come in various designs, but all are meant to prevent your foot from becoming trapped in case of a fall. Some even break away from the saddle to help prevent your legs from being trapped. Even with safety stirrups, make sure you keep your heels down. It's better to be safe than sorry.

Check for signs of pain. If your horse is acting up or displaying unusual behavior, take some time to examine it. Rub your hand all over your horse's body. If he shows signs of pain anywhere, have your vet check it. If your horse continues the unexplained behavior, ask for help from an experienced rider.

Reducing Risk while Riding

Ask for a gentle, older horse if you're inexperienced. Don't try to ride the spirited horse if you haven't had much experience. In addition, work under the direction of a guide or instructor if you haven't ridden before, as you need to learn the ins and outs of riding.

Stay with the herd when riding in a group. Horses like to be near other horses, and shy or timid horses can get upset if you lead them away from the group. Stick with the group, and your horse will be happier. Moving away from the group can cause your horse to buck or become upset. However, try not to ride too close together, as that can cause a horse to kick. Often, this happens when you get behind when you're riding with a group and your horse suddenly wants to catch up. It may panic a bit and rush headlong into the group, causing mayhem and possibly kicking.

Maintain your balance. This skill is essential in all horse riding, and it will help keep you safe when the horse spooks or attempts a difficult maneuver. Push your shoulders back so you're sitting up straight and make sure your shoulders are perpendicular to your toes. Maintain even weight on each foot in your stirrups, except when intentionally putting weight on them. Always return to this position, even if you need to move around to make a jump or another maneuver. Never bounce around in the saddle intentionally. Not only could this cause you to lose your balance, this may make the horse rear, buck, or increase speed suddenly.

Use the reins appropriately. Never jerk on your reins with more force than necessary. A sudden pull may surprise the horse and cause dangerous behavior. Instead, always use steady and gentle pressure when pulling on the reins.

Keep your feet in a safe position. When in the saddle, push your heels down and keep your stirrups on the ball of your foot. In this position, you can easily slip your feet out of the stirrups. Slip your feet out quickly if the horse starts bucking or acting dangerously to avoid catching your feet and being dragged behind the horse.

Go slowly on rough terrain. Slow down in areas without a trail. Unknown hazards could cause your horse to fall, bringing you down with it. If you're not sure about the area, rein in your horse to slow down. Keep in mind that horses like to race, so be wary of letting your horse go too fast. If your horse is abreast of other horses, it may try to go faster and faster, particularly if it knows its headed towards home. Slow it down to keep things from getting out of control.

Keep control of the horse. If the horse isn't listening to you, you will have a harder time controlling him when he spooks. If you suspect the horse isn't paying attention, try "sponging" the reins by squeezing them in alternate hands. The bit will wiggle slightly, and alert the horse to pay attention. Stop if necessary. If your horse gets nervous when another horse passes by, when a plastic bag drifts by, or for any other reason, stop the horse. Let another rider know what's going on and attempt to calm the horse before moving.

Pull the horse's head to the side to prevent it from rearing. If you react quickly, you can prevent the horse from rearing. As soon as it starts to spook, pull the head to one side with a rein and push the hindquarters out to the other side by throwing your weight the other way. Now the horse's weight will be on its forequarters, disengaging its ability to push off its hindquarters and rear. Never pull down and back. This can cause you or the horse to flip over.

Try to stay on a bolting horse. If you lose control of the horse, do your best to stay with the horse's motion and to gradually slow and calm your mount. Most horses will eventually slow down and stop, even if they've been running wild. Hold on mostly with your thighs, using your own balance to stay with the horse's motion. Holding on with your calves can cue the horse to increase its speed. If there's no way you can stay on the horse, start planning to jump and roll.